SULI - PHY - Cockrell, Theophilos - 6.23.26

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The student will work with Argonne scientists, engineers, postdocs, and graduate students to build an experimental platform for quantum communication based on ytterbium. Specifically, the student will focus on building vacuum, laser, and optical systems which utilize laser cooling, trapping and manipulation of atoms at 556 nm to push atoms that are collected in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT) to a three-dimensional (3D) MOT. The student will optimize the operation of the 3D MOT to maximize the number of atoms trapped, cool the atoms to ultracold temperatures, and prepare them for subsequent trapping systems. Following this work, the student will set up laser and optical systems to continuously transfer atoms from the MOT to a moving optical lattice. The Optical lattice will be used to continuously transfer ultracold-atoms from the MOT to a science chamber where they will be transferred to optical tweezers and strongly coupled to an optical cavity for applications in quantum communications. We expect the student’s work to result in a publication reporting the performance of the experimental system they have developed.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution.
• Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or Actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.
• Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins.
• Must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident at the time of application.
• If accepting an offer, must pass a screening drug test.

Responsibilities

• Build an experimental platform for quantum communication based on ytterbium.
• Build vacuum, laser, and optical systems.
• Utilize laser cooling, trapping and manipulation of atoms at 556 nm to push atoms from a 2D MOT to a 3D MOT.
• Optimize the operation of the 3D MOT to maximize trapped atom number and cool atoms to ultracold temperatures.
• Prepare atoms for subsequent trapping systems.
• Set up laser and optical systems to continuously transfer atoms from the MOT to a moving optical lattice.
• Transfer ultracold atoms from the MOT to a science chamber.
• Transfer atoms to optical tweezers and strongly couple them to an optical cavity for applications in quantum communications.
• Contribute to a publication reporting the performance of the experimental system.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed